Technical Challenges in Network-Centric Control and Communication Systems

This paper is concerned with the technical challenges arising from the emerging unification of network-centric control and communications. Specifically we are following two main directions. Firstly we briefly explore the current trends in the development of advanced satellite communications and hybrid satellite/terrestrial networks. Various technical issues are addressed and discussed within the field of integrated satellite systems and novel network architectures. Secondly we are concerned with the fast developing area of networked controlled systems (NCSs). In that respect relevant research problems are investigated in conjunction with possible future directions. Finally we conclude providing some specific research and development efforts related to state of the art integrated systems and services lying at the intersection of the above two categories and which are initiated and supported by international government and industrial organizations.